Avoiding water leaks in the home

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Avoiding water leaks in the home

You know your insurer will help you get the damage fixed when water floods into your house from outside but what about water leaks that start inside your home? Damaged and blocked pipes can cause major problems.

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Beware of the winter chill

One of the biggest causes of damage to pipes is cold weather. If your house gets too cold water in your pipes can freeze and expand, breaking the pipe. When the ice thaws the water can flood out.

To prevent frozen pipes:

Make sure your heating comes on for at least some of the day, especially if you’re away from home.

Vulnerable pipes should be insulated

If you get a leak, make sure you know where your stopcock is so you can turn the water off!

Stopcock studies

If a water leak happens, you should use your stopcock to stop the flow of water as quickly as possible, so make sure you know where it is!

It generally looks like a tap without a spout and can be hidden away in places such as under a sink, under the stairs or near the gas meter.

Once you’ve found it, keep it in working order by turning it off and on occasionally so you know it hasn’t seized up.

Out-of-sight, out-of-mind

Homes have more water running around them than ever, thanks to thinks like under-floor heating, appliances and more en suite bathrooms. A lot of the pipes and systems are out of sight, making potential problems harder to spot. To reduce risks:

Get a professional to install new appliances which require plumbing

Check behind units and appliances regularly for signs of damp or damage

Investigate mystery damp patches promptly

Be careful what you put down the drain so you don’t get blockages

If you get a leak, turn the water off as quickly as possible at the stopcock

Useful tips: Go-to gadgets

There are now leak-detection devices on the market which can automatically turn off the water if they detect problems.

They should be fitted by a professional but some insurers may offer help, and even take them into account when pricing your cover.